Dear Mom and Dad

To my biggest supporters,

Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I don’t think even this will show you how much I owe you guys. I wouldn’t have made it this far without you. I would have given up a long time ago. Thank you for you supporting me, holding my hand, and being my voice when I was too young or sick to speak up for myself.

Mom- I know I get on your nerves and I seem unthankful for everything you’ve done for me. That is the furthest from the truth. I know the sacrifices you have made for me. Like that one time my cat got run over by a car and you had to stay back home to take care of him while dad and I went to Boston for a surgery. We joke about this now but I know you barely slept for those days. I’m sorry for worrying you, I promise I’ll always be okay. Thank you for being my rock and my backbone.

Dad- while I could be sarcastic and thank you for the UC gene, I won’t. As twisted as it is, I’m kind of grateful you passed it on. Not for the sick part or anything, but this made me who I am today and I wouldn’t change it for the world. You taught me to trust myself to know when I was sick and when something serious was wrong. Thank you for being my sanity and always keeping me grounded.

I might still be mad at you guys from time to time for that one time you didn’t believe that I was sick…which may I remind you ended up in a surgery a few months later and the realization that I needed the transplant. I’m truly sorry for the sleepless nights, hospital visits, and you guys worrying while I was in surgery. No part of me can imagine what you guys went through all those years and still continue to go through.

I’ve gotten older and started taking care of myself more and more, but know that I will always need you by my side when things get rough. Even when mom obnoxiously laughs at the surgeon explaining “holes” to the point that he had to leave and get himself together again, I can’t imagine causing a commotion with any other people. I can’t imagine pinning doctors and nurses against each other with any other people just so I could go watch a lacrosse game. I couldn’t imagine throwing pillows at anyone else because your snoring was keeping me awake in our small hospital room in Georgetown. This could go on and on to the times when there were fights, late night snacks, exploring different parts of every hospital, or watching the helicopter fly in and out.

More importantly, thank you for trusting me enough to make my own decisions. Of course there is always the subtle opinion from you two. I know you guys gave up a lot for me and I am truly thankful for that. You bent over backwards to get me the best care we could find and stood by my side the entire time. You put up with my worst and darkest times, just know that I don’t take that for granted at all. I love you both more than words.

Love, 
Your baby girl


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